Hello spring! March and April plant sales

Beth Nathan is always out there fighting to make DeKalb better via the Civic Association Network, and apparently she's also making it greener! Thanks for this wonderful list, Beth!!

Below are some Plant Sales that local gardening enthusiasts might be interested in.Note:  3/28 is also CAN's Embrace Our Greenspace Race (fundraiser for local parks, 9:30-noon, Oak Grove UMC). Beth Nathan, (North Briarcliff past president; parks activist)

MARCH 28, 8-3.  FERNBANK PLANT SALE.  http://www.fernbank.edu/plantsale.htmFernbank Science Center (not museum), 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30307.
A wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials.  Many of the plants are native species that are often difficult to find elsewhere.  Sample plant list.

APRIL 11,  8-4 (or until plants are gone).  AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY (Azalea Chapter) Annual Plant Sale.http://www.azaleachapter.com/Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur
Regionally grown native azaleas, evergreen azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, mt laurel, companion plants not typically found in local garden centers.
Rain or Shine – Cash/Checks/Credit Cards.  New Joining Members Receive 25% Discount

APRIL 18, 8-1.  TREES ATLANTA's 3rd

Annual Native Wildflower and Vine Sale  
http://treesatlanta.org/event/3rd-annual-native-wildflower-and-vine-sale/
Freedom Farmers’ Market at The Carter Center; 453 Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta 30307
More than 1,800 plants of native wildflowers and vines available for sale, as well as much more available parking.
All major credit cards, as well as checks, and cash will be accepted.   Plant List

APRIL 18, 10-1.  DEKALB MASTER GARDENERs' Spring Plant Sale.      
http://www.dmga.org/
Oak Grove UMC parking lot: Corner of Oak Grove & Fairoaks, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, Georgia  30033

APRIL 18, 10-2.  GEORGIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY Annual Spring Plant Sale. 
http://gnps.org/shortterm/Plant_Sale_Announcement.php
McFarlane Nature Park, 280 Farm Road SE, Marietta.  For GPS use: Atlanta Country Club Drive, Marietta 30067
Thousands of sun and shade loving native plants: trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns for all growing conditions and to help attract wildlife.  Over 600 native azaleas.
Cash, Credit Card or Check.  Bring Wagons or Carts.  Not Handicapped-Accessible

GA PERIMETER COLLEGE NATIVE PLANT BOTANICAL GARDEN.  Spring Plant Sales.  http://gpcnativegarden.org/salesonly15spring.html
3251 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, 678-891-2668.   ( Map & Directions)
Fridays:   March 27,  April 3, 10, 17, 24,  May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Saturdays:     March 28,  April 11, 25,  May 2, 16, 30
Sale Hours:    10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
We accept only cash or a check. 

Splitting up the neighborhood: another brilliant idea (not)

via MANA President Lynn Ganim

Update on LaVista Hills’ Incursion into Medlock

According to Senator Parent’s office, the problem with the LVH map and Medlock is with the way census blocks are delineated. We have been told that state law will not permit those census blocks to be broken up in creating new cities, although that can happen with annexation parcels. (If anybody in the neighborhood truly understands the process of working with census tracts, please share it with all of us because this situation keeps getting crazier.) Most of our neighborhood is in one census tract. However, the short explanation is that LaVista Hills wants North DeKalb Mall, and part of our neighborhood is in the same census tract as the mall, a different one from the rest of the neighborhood. What all this means is that, as we understand it now, a part of our neighborhood cannot be separated from LVH because they cannot give up that area without losing the mall, which, of course, they will not do. IF the LVH referendum passes, that section could then ask to be de-annexed, which Senator Parent will help us do and which she believes will face no opposition from LVH. She is trying to work out an arrangement with Senator Millar, so once again everything could change in the blink of an eye.

We’re investigating how new cities like Brookhaven have worked with this limitation. The attached map from Senator Parent’s office shows in yellow the section of our area, not just the neighborhood, that is in a separate census block from the mall but was, I believe, added in the latest LVH map. The green is still LVH. This is most recent information we have. MANA is continuing to follow these developments closely and investigate our options. I can assure you that we have as many questions as you do. And, of course, we’re very curious about why this area and problem were not highlighted earlier during the many discussions of the LVH maps over the last year and a half.

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Contact information for our legislators is available here. In particular please call Senator Millar's office, as he is championing this shenanigan while simultaneously blocking County-wide reform (that was put together by the DeKalb Co. Operations Task Force --of which he was a member-- and Blueprint DeKalb citizens work group). 

DeKalb Co. launches Consent Decree website

Below is a County press release regarding the Consent Decree (settlement) that was reached following a lawsuit by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Georgia (Dept. of Natural Resources) vs DeKalb County, where the County was found to be in violation of the Clean Water Act.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Burke Brennan, Press Secretary
P: 404-371-6305  |  M: 678-201-7209
MaLika Hakeem, Administrative & Program Outreach Manager, Department of Watershed Management
P: 770-724-1457 |  M: 770-318-8435

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2015

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
Launches Consent Decree Website
Site includes communication tools designed to educate, inform public

DECATUR, Ga. – The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management’s (DWM) Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Division announced the official launch of its new Consent Decree Program website (http://www.dekalbconsentdecree.com/). The new site features general information about the program, its associated infrastructure improvement projects, and a user-friendly, interactive Project Finder feature that allows visitors to search for active DeKalb County CIP water and sewer construction projects. The Project Finder allows users to search for projects within a half-mile, one-mile or two-mile radius of a specific address, as well as by commission district or keyword. Information available on each project includes location, budget, schedule, description and current construction phase. DeKalb County has reached a Clean Water Act settlement in the form of a consent decree with the U.S. EPA and Georgia EPD.

“The new website is one of many communication tools we are using to ensure people are educated and well-informed about the projects included in the Consent Decree,” said Kenneth Saunders, Program Director, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Division, Department of Watershed Management.  “Continuous communication with the residents and business owners affected by the improvement activities is vital to the overall success of this program.”

The CIP also launched the Consent Decree Connection quarterly electronic newsletter and a social media campaign via Facebook. The Consent Decree Connection features articles on current and recent projects, FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease), safety tips and interesting facts and figures about the County’s sanitary sewer collection system. Social media will be used as a real-time communication vehicle to disseminate information to the public. The website, newsletter and social media are linked together online for added convenience. By implementing the aforementioned communication tools, the Department of Watershed Management’s goal is to provide advanced notification of upcoming construction activity, traffic advisories and community meeting details, and update the public on the program’s progress on an ongoing basis.

The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Division is a unit of the Department of Watershed Management. Currently overseeing a 5-year, $1.345 billion countywide capital improvement program, which comprises the repair and upgrade of the county’s water and wastewater infrastructure, the division’s main goal is to create sustainable growth and development of the county’s $5 billion water and wastewater assets serving the county’s more than 700,000 residents.

DeKalb County is Georgia’s third largest county with more than 700,000 residents calling it home. Known for its business and education hub, growing international community and natural wonders, DeKalb County Government is administered by Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May and legislative policy is set by a seven-member Board of Commissioners.

Follow news from DeKalb County at @ItsInDeKalb on Twitter and sign up for additional updates at www.onedekalb.com or send a text message with the word ONEDEKALB to 22828 (message and data rates may apply).

Adopt a lucky charm!

St. Patrick's day is a state of mind, and this great deal runs all month.

Click to enlarge

Atlanta Science Festival [Mar 21-28]

The Atlanta Science Festival is a week-long celebration of local science and technology, held March 21-28, 2015. Curious people of all ages will explore the science and technology in our region and see how science is connected to all parts of our lives in a variety of hands-on activities, facility tours, presentations, and performances throughout the metro Atlanta region. The Festival culminates in the free, family-friendly EXPLORATION EXPO - an interactive day of demos, hands-on activities, and stage shows at Centennial Olympic Park.


Go to http://atlantasciencefestival.org/ and check out all the cool events they have scheduled for this year.

Plant a row for the hungry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Angie Clawson

Angela.clawson@acfb.org

Office: 678.553.6010

Cell: 404.569.4945

ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK KICKS OFF THE 19^TH YEAR OF PLANT A ROW FOR THE HUNGRY

ATLANTA- Spring is a time of renewal and new life. What better way to chase the chills of winter away than to bring warmth and enrichment to the lives of others?  If you are a gardener, garden club member, or farmer planning for your spring planting, you can help get healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables to those struggling with hunger.  Lend a helping hand and a green thumb to the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) as it kicks off this year’s “Plant a Row for the Hungry” campaign.

To participate in Plant a Row,  simply plant an extra row in your garden for donations, or just bag up any of your extra harvest. It’s easy to locate a designated drop-off site at www.acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens.

Plant a Row for the Hungry was launched in 1995 as a national, public service campaign of the Garden Writers Association (GWA) and the GWA Foundation. ACFB executed the first local campaign in 1996, yielding nearly 160 pounds of fresh-from-the-garden foods to benefit local hunger-relief organizations.

Since that first year, approximately 613,084 pounds of produce have been donated locally through Plant a Row. This would not be possible without our local gardeners and farmers who provide the fresh produce that is distributed to those in need. We would like to make this year our biggest year yet. We only grow if you GROW!

To learn more about participating in Plant a Row, visit www.acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens or call 404-892-FEED (3333) x1216.

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About the Atlanta Community Food Bank

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) began operating in 1979 from a small space at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. ACFB now distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products each year from a 129,600 square-foot facility in N.W. Atlanta. The product is accessed by 600 partner nonprofits that provide food assistance to families and individuals in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. ACFB leads seven distinct projects that reinforce its mission to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering our community: Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta’s Table, Community Gardens, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In Need and Product Rescue Center.

ACFB is a member of Feeding America, the national network of more than 200 food banks. For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.acfb.org, and for more information on Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Garden Writers Association and Plant a Row for the Hungry

Launched in 1995, Plant A Row is a public service program of the Garden Writers Association and the GWA Foundation. Garden writers are asked to encourage their readers/listeners to plant an extra row of produce each year and donate their surplus to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry.

There are over 84 million households with a yard or garden in the U.S. If every gardener plants one extra row of vegetables and donates their surplus to local food agencies and soup kitchens, a significant impact can be made on reducing hunger. For more information on Plant a Row, visit www.gardenwriters.org

brief update on some Suburban Plaza store locations and expected square footage

via Tomorrow's News Today Atlanta:

"... HomeGoods will occupy a nearly 24,000 square foot space (basically, the former Big Lots.) Jo-Ann will occupy an approximately 20,000 square foot space (most of the former Hancock Fabrics.) (Hancock Fabrics has since relocated to Northlake Festival.) A nearly 150,000 square foot Walmart Supercenter, 25,000 square foot ROSS, 34,000 square foot LA Fitness and 1,700 square foot freestanding Starbucks are all already in the cards for the center."

See all our posts on Suburban Plaza here.